As an RCMP officer, service at an isolated post in Canada's North is a unique opportunity. Members are often able to participate in community activities and cultural events that are not available anywhere else.
It is areas of Canada where hunting, fishing and snowmobiling are a way of life. Many of the members who choose these postings gladly give up amenities, such as a shopping mall or movie theatre, for the chance to live an outdoor lifestyle.
However, when it comes to mental health and occupational stress, a lack of amenities can also pose a challenge.
Cpl. Jessie Gilbert has been working in the Northwest Territories for 10 years. During that time, he has served in five different communities north of the 60th parallel.
"If you are going through a stressful time — whether it's personal issues, trouble with something in the workplace or exposure to a critical incident — you need to be much more proactive and self-aware in northern spots," says Gilbert. "You don't have access to amenities in the south, like restaurants, sports clubs, gyms and theatres to distract you. If you're struggling, it's front and centre in your life. "
While many northern posts may not have in-person counselling services readily available, RCMP members do have access to a 24-hour helpline through Health Canada's Employee Assistance Services (EAS).
Members in need have the ability to reach a qualified crisis counselor for immediate assistance, and can be referred to other counselling resources for continued assistance. In locations where an in-person appointment is not possible, counselling sessions may be delivered via telephone or video.
Counselling received through the EAS is intended to be short-term, providing up to eight hours of counselling on each issue brought forward by the member. Longer term treatment is delivered through RCMP Health Services. Provisions can also be made for travel outside of the community if required.
Developing coping strategies is one way that individuals can alleviate stress before they find themselves in a mental health crisis. For Gilbert, building a support network within the communities he serves in is a big part of his personal coping strategy.
"The most important thing for me has been that we got to know other RCMP members right away," he says. "We started to build a network of people in the community — people that we could reach out to, people who were our new friends. If you don't build those relationships in the community it's easy to feel isolated."
Gilbert says his coping strategy was put to the test when he was involved in an armed standoff while posted in Tulita, a Dene community along the Mackenzie River with a population of approximately 650 people.
"If something goes down, it's a few hours before back-up is going to arrive. Those types of calls for service can be very stressful," he says.
After the standoff was over, several community members held a moose fry at the local church to show their appreciation.
"It was those connections in the community that made it easier for me to deal with those stressful times," he says.
But there is also a unique benefit to mental health in northern postings, such as the benefit of government housing near other families and the detachment, says Gilbert. There's also no commute to work.
"It increases the time you get to spend at home with family," he says. "Plus, it's not uncommon to go off shift and then socialize with the members you just worked with. There is a strong sense of esprit de corps."
When Gilbert reflects on his service in the North, he sums up his experience with appreciation and a look forward.
"Over the past 10 years of my service, we have definitely come a long way in terms of talking about mental health," he says. "But I think we still have a ways to go in terms of actionable programs."